The Nova Scotia government has announced a new 115.4 million dollar funding package to help low and middle-income earners with inflation.

The bulk of the funding _ 100 million _ is going to an expansion of the heating assistance rebate program with the threshold increased to a net income of 85-thousand dollars.

Premier Tim Houston says the expansion is needed in a time of rising energy prices because too many people are falling through the cracks.

The Opposition Liberals and the N-D-P welcome the one-time financial assistance, saying the threshold adjustment will make a difference during the winter months.

 

 

The new top Mountie in Nova Scotia says he believes the public wants a renewed relationship with the national police force despite it being widely criticized about its response to the 2020 mass shooting.

Assistant Commissioner Dennis Daley says while it’s possible a public inquiry may call for the province to look at alternative policing models, he is confident Nova Scotians “still want the R-C-M-P as their provincial police.”

The 56-year-old says it will be his job in the coming years to rebuild relationships with the public, municipal governments and other police forces.

Daley says he anticipates recommendations from the inquiry that call for police leaders to work more closely together in future.

 

 

Two adults have been forced from their home by a house fire in Waterside.

The blaze along Shore Road was reported around 1 a.m. Monday.

A woman who was taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation was released Tuesday and the two were then helped by Canadian Red Cross volunteers with a place to stay, meals, and purchases like clothing and some other essential needs.

 The pair credit their dog with alerting them to the fire.

 

 

The RCMP is asking drivers not to let the stress that comes with this time of year turn them into an aggressive driver.

In September and October of this year, RCMP charged 2,044 people with aggressive driving.

Types of aggressive driving can include illegal passing, speeding, cutting other drivers off, weaving in and out of traffic, and tailgating.

 

 

Gas and diesel prices fell in New Brunswick overnight.

Gas prices went down 8.3 cents per litre in the province, putting the maximum price for regular self-serve gas in New Brunswick at 146.0 cents per litre.

Diesel prices decreased by 27-cents per litre in New Brunswick, meaning the new maximum price for diesel in that province is 242.6 cents per litre.

Nova Scotia sets its fuel prices at midnight tonight.